“No, indade!” broke in Mrs. Sweeney. “If ye hain’t th’ cheek! Kapin’ Mame’s bur-rd all this time, an’ thin comin’ afther it! Out with ye! We don’t want ye round!”
The boy threw back his head defiantly, and pulled a quarter from his pocket.
“That’s your money,” he cried, laying it on the table; “but the bird’s mine! I bought it fair’ n’ square! Mame was mighty glad to git it off her hands then, an’ now just because you’ve heard that it sings yer want it back—”
“Want it?” sneered Mrs. Sweeney. “Yis, we want it an’ we’ve got it, an’ whin ye see it ag’in, jist pass me th’ wurrud! Now l’ave, will ye!”
“I can have you arrested!” dared Blue, growing furious. “I will, too, if yer don’t bring out that bird! You stole it! I’ll have you arrested sure as—”
“Arristid, is it? That’s a good wan! Arristid!” She laughed shrilly.
The boy’s face darkened with passion. If she had been a man he would have sprung like a tiger—but a woman! He clinched his fists fiercely and held himself straight.
“Well, arre ye go’n’, ye little—”
“No, not without my bird!” blazed the boy.
A sinister light flashed in the woman’s eyes.